Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 241

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 241

“What an unsightly mess.”

Zhuge Munhyeon entered the inn and frowned as he looked at the old wall with a large hole where the door frame had been torn out completely.

“Ah, that… I was actually planning to compensate the innkeeper for it.”

“Compensate?”

“Of course. He suffered unnecessary damage because of us.”

When Zhuge Munho reached for his money pouch at his waist, Zhuge Munhyeon’s brow furrowed even deeper.

“Why should we pay for that?”

“Huh?”

“Did Elder Brother break it? From what I saw, that Im Gonyou fellow smashed it with his whole body.”

“…”

“Naturally, that bastard should pay for it, not us. Tsk tsk, for someone who’s supposed to be the Young Family Head, you’re terribly wasteful with money. These financial matters require precision above all else. Understand? Tch, I should have brought this issue up with the Patrol Leader earlier too.”

Everyone was dumbfounded by Zhuge Munhyeon’s expression of deep regret, and they all wore bitter smiles.

Im Gonyou had broken the wall because he was attacked by Zhuge Munho.

In other words, he was like a blade in someone’s hand.

Who would punish a blade for cutting someone? You punish the culprit who wielded the blade.

But no one argued back.

In the Zhuge Family, especially among his peers, there was no one who would boldly tell Zhuge Munhyeon “You’re wrong.”

However.

[Gwan-i.]

[Yes.]

[Quietly slip the innkeeper money for the wall repairs.]

[…Me?]

[Then who else? You’re not seriously thinking of actually billing the Im Family Head in this situation, are you?]

Of course not.

The situation was already like having vigorously stirred up a hornet’s nest.

In such circumstances, demanding compensation for the inn’s wall would be tantamount to asking for another fight.

[That’s not it, but what if that Munhyeon fellow catches me?]

[…It’s an order.]

Zhuge Gwan’s face contorted as Zhuge Munho secretly passed him the money, shifting the responsibility.

This damn bastard, how can someone who’s supposed to be the Young Family Head act just like a complete scoundrel…

Being a subordinate felt particularly bitter at this moment.

“Everyone block up that wall. People outside can see everything.”

“Yes!”

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, the warriors rushed outside without hesitation.

Some went to find wooden planks, others searched for hammers and nails.

Thanks to the sudden bustle, the inn’s interior became lively as if no fight had ever occurred.

“Hwi Pyeong, go prepare tables and chairs.”

At Zhuge Munho’s words, Hwi Pyeong approached the tables and chairs stacked in one corner.

“Never mind. I see there’s nowhere proper to sit, so you’ve been eating and drinking on the floor. We can just sit here.”

“Oh my! Munhyeon, that’s no way to treat guests.”

“…”

“Hwi Pyeong, what are you doing? The guests are waiting, aren’t they?”

Faced with Zhuge Munho’s firm attitude, Zhuge Munhyeon merely smiled wryly and didn’t argue further.

He was the family’s Young Family Head.

While it might be fine when they were alone as family, he couldn’t disrespect him in front of others.

“Oh? So even someone as headstrong as you listens to someone’s words?”

“That’s right. Even when staying in the Main House’s guest quarters, he acted like he owned the place.”

Namgung San laughed and chimed in with Yu Gilcheon’s comment.

These bastards…

When exactly did they become so close that they’re gossiping about others?

He wanted to smack their heads, but considering the Young Family Head’s position, he settled for just glaring at them.

Right now, he was dealing with them as a member of the family, not as an individual.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes.”

After the table was prepared, Zhuge Munho and Namgung San exchanged brief greetings.

They had met once at the negotiation venue.

But the way they looked at each other now was inevitably different from back then.

They had gone from enemies to allies.

Moreover, Namgung San’s expression seemed strangely filled with curiosity.

“Your skills were remarkable.”

“I’m embarrassed.”

“Embarrassed? I saw with my own eyes that the Zhuge Family’s reputation isn’t limited to wisdom alone.”

“Haha…”

Zhuge Munho laughed awkwardly at Namgung San’s praise.

“What martial arts do you mainly practice? Internal energy? Or do you focus more on techniques?”

“I tend to focus more on techniques.”

“I thought so… Your movements were sharp, so I suspected as much. You know how to strike your opponent’s weak points precisely.”

It was all praise.

Though it wasn’t a fight against a great warrior, Zhuge Munho felt secretly pleased to be recognized by someone from another family for the first time.

“You hid that personality well. I mistook you for a rigid scholar, but you’re a natural fiery warrior.”

“Ah, that was because I was being careful not to make any mistakes with our guest.”

“If you’d been twice as careful, I would have died of frustration.”

At Yu Gilcheon’s grumbling filled with laughter, Zhuge Munho scratched his head apologetically.

“Oh! Instead of this, since our three families have decided to unite our intentions… how about we address each other as brothers?”

“As brothers?”

“Oh! That’s a wonderful idea. We’ll be cooperating and seeing each other constantly from now on, so there’s no need for peers to keep their distance.”

Zhuge Munho looked somewhat surprised, while Namgung San immediately responded to Yu Gilcheon’s suggestion.

They understood the meaning differently.

Zhuge Munho had never once considered that he might be able to socialize with scions of other families.

He had simply thought of them as collaborators.

Was that why?

Without realizing it, he glanced at Zhuge Munhyeon.

Nod.

Zhuge Munhyeon smiled and nodded slightly.

Though he was treated as an adult both in the family and by those around him due to his position as Young Family Head, they were all barely past their coming of age.

Someone might call them young warriors overflowing with vigor. Perhaps there were those who viewed their friendship unfavorably, thinking that human relationships change anyway as one ages and faces life’s hardships.

But there are meetings one must have at that age. Moreover, peers with whom one socializes during that period become tremendously important connections.

Furthermore, all of this is learning.

They must mingle with descendants of other families, sometimes fighting, sometimes understanding, learning and absorbing each other’s cultures.

That’s how one’s thinking broadens.

Sometimes experiencing betrayal, sometimes relying on each other like blood brothers, they become true adults.

Wasn’t this a truly wonderful meeting?

Someday they would become the protagonists leading a new era.

Like the mighty currents of the great Yangtze River.

As someone who held memories of flowing as a current several generations before them, Zhuge Munhyeon wore a pleased smile at their vigorous gathering.

“Hmm, then since I’m the oldest, I suppose I become the eldest?”

“I’ll call you Elder Brother from now on.”

“I will call you big brother from now on.”

“Then I’ll be the youngest. Haha! It’s an honor to serve you two elder brothers.”

Dang Yeon, who was over thirty, was the eldest.

Next came Namgung San, and then Zhuge Munho in that order.

“Come, let’s drink!”

At Dang Yeon’s lead, the three men clinked their cups and became brothers.

“Ah, but… this is a bit of a problem.”

“Pardon?”

“What problem?”

The two looked puzzled, and Dang Yeon glanced at Zhuge Munhyeon who was sitting with them.

“Actually, I promised to form a sworn friendship with Munhyeon… This is awkward, since Munho is Munhyeon’s elder brother… the family hierarchy… If we continue as friends, Munhyeon calls Munho ‘elder brother,’ I call Munho ‘younger brother,’ and we speak casually as friends…”

“…”

“…”

At Dang Yeon’s rather flustered words, Namgung San and Zhuge Munho turned to stare intently at Zhuge Munhyeon.

Very intently…

Making him feel embarrassed…

These bastards!

Why are they making an issue out of him?

What hierarchy? Are we from the same household?

“Munhyeon. Don’t you think we should sort out our relationships a bit?”

“…”

“Even if we speak casually, how about at least using proper titles for Elder Brother Yeon and Elder Brother San? For this elder brother’s sake… hmm? Won’t you?”

Zhuge Munho’s pleading expression made his eyes tremble.

If they want to become sworn brothers, they should do it among themselves. Why drag him into it?

My position is different from yours!

I can’t explain it, but I’m the person with the highest seniority in this murim!

“Munhyeon, won’t you consider it? Please?”

“…”

He wanted to curse and tell them to stop talking nonsense, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so seeing Zhuge Munho’s earnest expression.

He’s the Young Family Head of our clan…

Crack crack crack crack crack!

Zhuge Munhyeon gritted his teeth until they nearly broke, then gripped his cup tightly with a twisted expression and spoke.

“Elder brothers… accept my cup.”

“…!”

“…!”

That day, Zhuge Munhyeon displayed extreme patience and accepted becoming the youngest.

But he would still speak casually.

Only the title would be ‘elder brother.’

This was his absolute, uncompromising pride.

“Hahaha! Good, Munhyeon!”

“I’ve gained two good younger brothers, Elder Brother.”

“I have three.”

Dang Yeon and Namgung San drained their cups in one gulp and threw their heads back laughing.

Somehow he felt defeated.

Not knowing he had endured this for the family’s sake.

But then, Zhuge Munho’s eyes, smiling brightly, said it all.

Thank you…

‘Sigh, well fine. How hard can it be to call them elder brother? After I ascend to immortality, these will be ties I’ll sever anyway. I should just live this current life according to my current age.’

Zhuge Munhyeon chuckled and began to properly join the drinking session.

‘Did you hear?’

‘Yeah! That guy is treating them as elder brothers because they’re older!’

‘Then we’ll also get elder brother treatment from that fellow now?’

Gwan Hwiping, who was nearby, secretly indulged in sweet dreams.

In truth, though very occasionally, Zhuge Munhyeon had called them ‘elder brother’ several times before.

They just hadn’t noticed because he usually treated them so roughly.

In the end, nothing would change.

“By the way, I wonder how the Hwangbo Family will handle this matter.”

“That’s what worries me too. They’ll learn from this incident that our three families are secretly coordinating.”

The drinking session continued until dawn.

At Dang Yeon’s concern, Zhuge Munho cautiously added his thoughts.

“You don’t need to worry too much. The Hwangbo Family will handle this matter as quietly as possible.”

At Namgung San’s words, Zhuge Munho turned to look at him.

“How do you know that, Elder Brother Namgung?”

He spoke with certainty, as if he knew the Hwangbo Family’s future actions.

“Ah, actually we’ve been monitoring the Hwangbo Family’s movements for a long time.”

“I see. Hwangbo and Namgung share borders.”

“That’s right. We’re both martial families representing the orthodox faction, but we can’t deny we’re competitors.”

Shandong and Anhui.

The two provinces share borders.

Especially regarding the interests in Jiangsu Province caught between them, they’ve been engaged in ongoing disputes that aren’t quite disputes for a long time.

“Hmm, in some ways, the internal atmosphere of the Hwangbo Family is similar to our family.”

“Similar?”

“How should I put it… I don’t know how this will sound, but they’re a bit different from the Tang Family or Zhuge Family that are tightly united around bloodlines.”

“Huh?”

“Actually… you could say they sought changes for survival by referencing our two families.”

At Namgung San’s words, Zhuge Munho perked up his ears and listened intently.

“Unlike the Tang Family, which maintained the same bloodline-centered family structure while consolidating control over Sichuan, the Zhuge Family walked the path of decline when the Murim Alliance collapsed.”

“…”

“The key was the branch families.”

That was the difference.

The Tang Family, which treated even branch families as family and brought in sons-in-law to maintain unity, versus the Zhuge Family, which prioritized only blood relatives.

Zhuge Munho felt a pang in his heart remembering those difficult times, but he couldn’t deny the facts.

“Our main house abandoned bloodlines for all positions except Family Head to avoid walking the same path as Zhuge. We strengthened unity by appointing many capable people from branch families.”

“Hmm, I see. You opened up the future for them.”

“Exactly. By selecting people based purely on ability, we created a competitive structure within the family.”

“Not a bad method.”

“Yes. Thanks to that, we could maintain control over our territory by keeping the branch families bound to us.”

“So Hwangbo used the same method?”

“They were even more extreme than us. They placed even merchants in important positions as long as they showed loyalty to the Hwangbo Family.”

“Hmm… so how do you think the Hwangbo Family will handle this matter?”

At Dang Yeon’s question, everyone focused on Namgung San’s words.

“If it’s the Hwangbo Family Head I know… he’ll probably demote Patrol Leader Hwangbo Suhyeon.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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